The USC baseball team opened its national title defense with a 12-5 win over Santa Clara Friday afternoon at Carolina Stadium.
Last year’s College World Series MVP Jackie Bradley Jr. led the way with a 4-4 type day. He produced two doubles, a homerun and three rbi’s. Bradley was one of three Gamecocks to go deep with the new composite bats. Christian Walker and Scott Wingo also went deep.
Mike Roth pitched 5 2/3 innings to earn the win on the mound. He allowed four hits and two earned runs and struck out six.
All-in-all a good win for the Gamecocks as the hits were there and quality pitching was in place. Carolina finished with 13 hits to Santa Clara’s 10 on the afternoon. The series resumes Saturday afternoon at 3:00 at Carolina Stadium. The Gamecocks will ask sophomore lefty Tyler Webb to pitch a win. Santa Clara will start senior right hander Cory Hall.
